[Valin]

The Mountain Men
by George Laycock

http://www.museumofthemountainman.com/tradingpost/product_info.php?products_id=59

The Dramatic History and Lore of the First Frontiersmen

Paperback, 240 pages, 9 x 6 inches
ISBN: 1558214542

To know how the West was really won, start with the exploits of these unsung mountain men who, like the legendary Jeremiah Johnson, were real buckskin heroes. Preceeded only by Lewis and Clark, beaver fur trappers roamed the river valleys and mountain ranges of the West, surviving on fish and game, fighting or trading with the Native Americans - forever heading toward the untamed wilderness. In the story of the rough, historic men and their worlds, Laycock weaves historical facts with profiles of individual trappers including harrowing escapes, feats of supreme courage and endurance, and sometimes violent encounters with grizzly bears and Native Americans.

VERY GOOD fun read.
also available from Amazon, and all the usual places.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Valin.

The fur trappers and Mountain Men were the ones who really helped open up the West. They don't get as much credit as they deserve.

[Light Speed]

The DVD version has a different cover I beleive.

Anyhoo..for near authentic..this film rates a 9

Its colorfull..maybe too colorfull as the language goes.

Brian Keith and Charleton Heston spar back and forth with insults and one liners....argue about what band of Indians are about to steal their horses and scalp them.

The movie notes the period of change....when immigrants* Brian Keiths never ending jeer appear in the North West.
The last days of the beaver trade.

In one scene around a fire..Keith tells a story where he is chased into a box canyon by 100 Rhappaho.

Keith is asked how things turned out...his reply.

"What do you think....I [expletive] Died!! : )

Heston struggles with the reality of the failing beaver trade...allong with personal problems..as he has inherited the attention of a native girl who will not leave him.
In one scene..she kicks Heston right in the family jewels..while dozens of drunken trappers look on..along with a mouthy Frenchman who Heston and Keith really dislike.

Theres some great scenery shots in this film....the drama level is as good as the humor.

So ends Light Speeds Movie review : )